Winter Wear

[noise_is_life]

The cold season is getting close enough now that it is time to start thinking about gearing up.

What do the winter riders out there like to wear in the cold stuff. Official winter gear is so expensive that I always just throw together a mish mash of layers. But, it is always difficult for me to regulate my temperature, and of course keeping the extremities warm is always a challenge.

The coldest I've ridden is down to about 20 degrees, what is the lowest temperature that you've ridden in?

[viv]

I'm tryin do do more winter riding. I ride a single to keep it simple. Ive always had probs with my feet until last year when I switched to platform pedals and an old pair of Merril Wintermocs. Pearl Izumi Amfib tights , a bunch of layers on top, and Castelli wind breaker gloves with a liner. Ive ridden down to 15 to 20 degrees. Still only good for a couple hours or so

[tmac]

For my 1/2 hour ride to work, I usually go with the layered apprach. Mostly because the temps are usually quite different at 7:30 than they are at 5:30.

My gloves are a Performance brand Windstopper, that are nice and thin, but very warm.

Actually, with any of my clothing advice keep in mind that I tend to be very warm, and can't even wear a headband unless it is below 25.

Booties are essential when it gets that cold, but over 25 and I find that some neoprene toe covers go right over my bike shoes and do a great job.

Tights are also essential - I usually wear a lighter pair with regular bike shorts underneath for the pad. When it gets reeal cold, I have a thick pair with their own pad.

I have also found that it is important to cover the areas that get the coldest. Sounds obvious, but instead of over-layering on top, I usually get by with a long sleeve T, and a windbreaker. The kicker is that I cut up a chunk of fleece to use as a belly shield. Sound goofy, but that is really where I tend to catch a lot of wind (not so much in November, but by February, you know. . .)

With this getup and some trial and error, I normally ride if it is at least 15 when I leave the house. Actually, it USED to be 15. I had to bump the threshold up a bit since I bought a new car, and driving is actually fun now.

My lowest is about 5 above. Not too bad except the showers at work don't always have hot H2O. Brrr.

[nicnac]

and Castelli wind breaker gloves with a liner

Have you been happy with those gloves? Hands and feet have always been my biggest problem to keep warm but it's my hands that are the worst. It seems like they are either numb or sweating.

[tmac]

I am curious to hear how you all like Castelli clothing in general. My experience has been that it is the absolutely most comfortable stuff out there, but the few items I have owned have not even lasted one season!:mad:

[viv]

The Castelli windbreaker gloves are great. I'm not sure if this is their real name but they are an uninsulated shell with a nice long velcro cuff that keeps the wind out. The liners were Pearl Izumi from Freewheel. The liners have worn out but the shells seam to be bulletproof (3years) I bought them on a tip from the hardcores at Flanders.

[Crash]

I'll ride in the winter if the temp is 10 degrees or warmer. We usually ride the river bottoms for 1-2 hours. The biggest problem for me is my feet. I use ski socks and those little disposalbe feet warmers (similar to what you put in your gloves). Unfortuantely, the MTB shoes are a little tight which restricts circulation. This year I am thinking about breaking down and buying a pair of Lake winter shoes - anyone have any comments on these?

For anyone that hasn't tried it - winter riding is a blast! It is really not that hard to stay warm - especially if it is above 20 degrees out.

[Rocky Mountain]

As far as price of winter wear... I have purchased a few items from World Cycling Productions in St. Paul at a farily decent price. In the past 2 yrs I have bought a DeMarchi Wind Breaker Coat for $50, retail $120, and a Castelli Winter Cap with ear protection.
Most of the deals can be found at there Seasonal Sales, but there showroom does have some deals and if not ask them what they have for a decent price.
World Cycling Productions (http://www.worldcycling.com/)

I have been doing some limited winter riding, but if this season produces very little snow then I will be out there

[scarface]

i only mt bike on the nice days(15+)

but I commuted down to -10 (+ windchill). Snowboard gear and layers. Wind is the killer, so snowboard/ski equipment really helps there. I never had to contend with clipless, I can see that being a pain.

But lets face it, its impossible to keep a perfect body temp in winter sports. Best bet is riding hard, and recovering in front of a fire <IMO>

[noise_is_life]

Does anyone use wool, I've heard it works really well without too much bulk. It's hard to find many sources though.

[mtnbykr]

"...Lake winter shoes - anyone have any comments on these?"

several of us up here have the lakes and they work extremely well. i bought mine sized to a thicker wool sox and others have bought 1-2 sizes bigger for more sox-age. i've rode 2-3 hours in 20* or less and not had any cold feet. sidi make a killer winter shoe also.
the lakes are more of a winter boot than the sidi.

i use a gore-tex jacket w/ a light or heavy shirt [depends on the temp], bike shorts under tights, and xc ski gloves. turtleneck shirts keep your neck warm. i always wear something under my helmet. wool works really well, i like the smartwool sox and shirts and craft makes some good stuff also.

no cotton!!!

we ride all winter unless it's really cold [below 0]. for a lot of us, this isn't a sport or a hobby, it's a way of life.

k

[Crash]

Originally posted by mtnbykr
"...Lake winter shoes - anyone have any comments on these?"

several of us up here have the lakes and they work extremely well. i bought mine sized to a thicker wool sox and others have bought 1-2 sizes bigger for more sox-age. i've rode 2-3 hours in 20* or less and not had any cold feet. sidi make a killer winter shoe also.
the lakes are more of a winter boot than the sidi.


Thanks Kurt! If the lakes are good enough for Dulth they certaintly should more than ideal for Minneapolis ;)

I agree with your recommendation of getting a shoe at least one size bigger. One of the problems with the regular mtb shoes is they fit perfect with thin socks in the summer but are way to tight for thicker socks and toe warmers. My feet go numb and I am not sure if it is due to the cold or they fall asleep :mad:

[mtnbykr]

"My feet go numb and I am not sure if it is due to the cold or they fall asleep"

usually if try to stuff a 6lb foot in a 5lb shoe, it's cutting off the circulation and then your tootsies get cold. go w/ 1 bigger size, find a sox that mfills up the space and you'll be fine. you can always get a thicker insole to take up room if needed.

k

[Don Youngdahl]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by noise_is_life
[B]Does anyone use wool, I've heard it works really well without too much bulk.

Wool works well, and is still a good insulator when it's wet from rain, snow, or sweat if you've overdressed. It's pretty warm, so be careful on overdressing.

[jjrsds]

Wool is a great insulator, untill it gets wet. I do some winter camping (cross country ski camp, dog sledding) and I avoid cotton and wool except for smartwool socks. Synthetics (fleece, polypropolene etc.) offer much better warmth and moisture transfer that wool. Think outside the box when buying winter gear. I have 3 polypro. tights from REI and spent very little money for them (10 bucks a pair I think I paid). I also have windproof nylon pants from REI paid 20 bucks. For my upper body long underwear top light with a zip neck to cool off, a summer weight jersey fleece jacket and a windproof nylon jacket on top if needed. If I get to hot or I am sweating to much I alter the setup. It just takes time to find what works for you which is the whole key.

[SickBoy]

FYI.... Castelli Sample Sale is 9/18 and 9/19, 4-8 PM. They usually have a good selection of summer and cold weather stuff for sale, but sometimes sizes, colors and styles may be limited. Super cheap.....

http://www.mcf.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=B;action=display;num=1063121209

stock up for winter.

[TML]

Ahh, cold weather riding. From my experiences riding, skiing, camping and huntiing in cold weather the most valuable clothing to have is a supply of 100% polypropylene tops and bottoms. They feel kinda wierd at first, if you're not used to them and they look ratty as hell after seeing some use but it's the greatest base layer you can have.

On top of that I put on a long sleeve fleece or wool with a tall zip neck. Then depending on temp, a wind vest with mesh back or a full windbreaker/waterproof jacket with pit zips. On the bottom, thick or thin tights, depending on temp. I also, like Ty on his belly, use some small pieces of fleece on the front of my knees to keep them a little warmer.

[ice ice baby]

I've ridden Lebanon at 30 degrees with a turleneck and shorts and it felt hot as heck! The woods protect the wind - which makes it feel like a sauna in there.:banana:

[denis-on-enduro]

LETS DO THIS PAPA MUNTZ STYLE BABY! WOO! BARE ASSED MY FRIENDS! YEAH IT'LL BE WORTH IT

[grizzly adam]

When I first moved here from Duluth I lived in Eagan and rode to work in Richfield cuz I didn't have a vehicle. My roommates and I all worked at Erik's, just different ones, so I couldn't really get a ride and had to ride EVERYDAY - regardless. There were times I had ski goggles on cuz it was so cold. Here's some of what I wore:

Polypropeline linings - top and bottom - good call.
Long sleeve jersey
Pearl Izumi Winter Jacket
Rossi snowboard mittens - They look like mittens but have the seperator thingies inside - These things are awesomely warm!!
Pearl Izumi WindStopper helmet liner for sure or some L'il Sport earmuffs. These suckers are warm as heck and fit very well under your helmet. My original helmet didn't have room for a headband, but these earmuffs were fantastic. I also use them all winter under my fleece hat.

Pearl Izumi AmFib tights FOR SURE! They're a bit spendy but well worth every penny. They have WindStopper along the front panels and fit very well.
No shorts underneath, no other tights underneath - don't need 'em.

I for sure recommend a neck gator. It sometimes gets full of "snag" and other goodies, but it's worth the warmth.

Vasaline or something on your cheeks to help with the windchill factor. There's that blue tin full of some Swiss formula that works great - used to use it at xc ski meets - but I can't remember the name!

Lake shoes and/or Neoprene booties - a must.

Fenders help a ton.